Below is the text of Mr Major's written Parliamentary Answer on the Christmas Bonus on 15th May 1986.

Ms. Richardson Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those countries where the Christmas bonus is paid to people who are (a) there on holiday on the qualifying date or (b) ordinarily resident there on the qualifying date.

Mr. Major The Christmas bonus is payable to people in receipt of a qualifying benefit who are present or ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom (which for this purpose includes Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar) or in any country of the European Community at any time during the qualifying week.